Support
Diversity Champions
The University aims to develop and enhance a fair and inclusive working and learning environment for the benefit of all. The establishment of Diversity Champions in each School/Service is an important initiative for the University in support of this aim.
Working in collaboration with the Senior HR Officer (EDI), the responsibilities of the champions is to:
- To raise awareness of Equality and Diversity responsibilities within the School/Service
- To act as an initial point of contact on Equality and Diversity queries within the School/Service
- To play an active role in championing the University’s commitment to Equality and Diversity across the institution
- To advocate on equality and diversity matters
- To act as a conduit for information on equality initiatives and an advocate for positive change
- To raise awareness of the equality dimension in decision making in their department
To actively support their School/Service in equality and diversity initiatives such as Athena SWAN
Diversity Champions for Schools/Services
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Schools |
Diversity Champion |
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Applied Sciences |
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Art, Design & Architecture |
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Computing & Engineering |
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Education & Professional Development |
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Huddersfield Business School |
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Human & Health Sciences |
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Music, Humanities & Media |
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Services |
Diversity Champion |
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Computing & Library Services |
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Estates & Facilities |
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Financial Services |
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Human Resource Group |
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International Office |
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Marketing, Communications & Student Recruitment |
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Registry |
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Research & Enterprise |
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Student Services |
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Vice-Chancellor’s Office |
Dignity At Work Advisors
The University provides a network of Dignity at Work Advisors, which are members of staff across the University who have volunteered and are trained to undertake the role. The Dignity at Work Advisor is an unbiased, neutral colleague who provide a confidential and informal service to assist alleged victims of harassment or bullying or those accused of harassment or bullying. The aim of this role is to facilitate informal resolution in line with the University Dignity at Work Policy
Details of the Dignity at work advisors
Rights and Responsibilities
Each individual employee has the following rights:
- To be treated with dignity and respect.
- To be treated fairly and without discrimination.
- To disagree and present alternative views.
- To challenge and be assertive.
- To be consulted on decisions that affect their work.
- To have their contribution recognised.
Each individual also has the following responsibilities:
- To treat others with dignity and respect.
- To challenge inappropriate behaviours in others.
- To respect the authority and decisions of others.
- To deal with conflict constructively.
- To recognise the needs of the business and others.
Dignity at Work Meetings
The purpose of a 1:1 meeting is for the Advisor and Advisee to discuss the situation to provide some options and a way forward.
The Advisor is there to:
- Listen
- Provide a supportive, confidential and informal environment
- Provide support
- Provide information on options that are available
- Assist with informal resolutions
Rights and Responsibilities of the Advisee;
- To treat the Dignity at Work Advisor with respect
- To understand that the Advisor’s role is not that of a counsellor
- To understand that the Advisor is not there to solve your problem, but to help you come to a solution yourself
- If you feel that a particular Advisor is not compatible it is your right to sound out another Advisor
- To be open to challenges around a particular issue
- That you have the right to access any logged information regarding your case
Carers
Support for Working Carers
Are you helping or looking after a family member?
We don’t always see ourselves as carers, we may just see it as looking after Mum and/or Dad or helping a family member or friend. A carer is an individual who, without payment, is responsible for the regular care and support of a parent, partner, sibling, child or other dependant who is unable to care for themselves. 5 million people in the UK are juggling caring responsibilities with work - that's 1 in 7 of the workforce. Caring can be rewarding, but it does impact every aspect of a carer’s life.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, carers are facing even greater challenges to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Many of us may have recently taken on new caring responsibilities, due to the pandemic.
The University of Huddersfield is committed to providing equality of opportunity and support to employees with care responsibilities. The University acknowledges that some carers have significant caring responsibilities that can have a substantial impact on their working life.
The University's Caring for Carers at Work guidance outlines the support available for employees with caring responsibilities to help manage and maintain a positive work-life balance.
Line managers also play a key role in supporting carers, so employees are encouraged to identify themselves as a carer, in order to be able to provide the appropriate support. The University acknowledges that each caring situation will be different and can change over time so regular meetings with employees will ensure a manager can provide appropriate support as circumstances change.
Career Returners
If you or someone you know has taken a career break of at least two years’ duration for family, health or caring reasons then you may be eligible to apply for the Daphne Jackson Fellowship for research funding.
In addition Wellcome provide grants/funding for career returners in research, subject to specific eligibility ciriteria.
Information and Resources
Here, you can find out about where to go for specific support or resources depending on the nature of who you are caring for.
Carers Count is an organisation based in Kirklees which supports carers or those being cared for in the Kirklees area. Telephone 0300 012 0231, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, info@carerscount.org.uk www.carerscount.org.uk, Facebook and Twitter. The staff also work with neighbouring districts for those of you who live, or look after someone who lives, outside of Kirklees. They offer support in:
- Carer Wellbeing
- Advocacy- Getting your voice heard and understanding choices
- Information & Advice
- Benefits
- Mental Health Service for carers
Carers Count have provided the following resources which you may also find helpful:
Carers Count - How we can help you
Carers Emergency Support - Carers Trust Mid Yorkshire
Employers Supporting Working Carers
Information Leaflets and Newsletters
Other Local Support Contacts:
Calderdale Carers - 01422 369101 Email enquiries@calderdale-carers.co.uk
Carers Wakefield & District - 01924 305544
Carers Leeds- 0113 380 4300 Email advice@carersleeds.org.uk
Barnsley Carers- 01226 288772 Email BarnsleyCarers@makingspace.co.uk
Bradford and Airedale, Harrogate and Ripon, and Craven districts of Yorkshire- Bradford Office- 01274 449660 Harrogate Office-01423 500555
Carers UK is an organisation of and for carers which offers support in obtaining practical, emotional and financial support. Tel: 0808 808 7777 or http://www.carersuk.org/Home
Carers UK - Resources and Information
The Education Support Partnership offer free confidential help and support, no matter what the problem. Their trained counsellors are available 24/7 to everyone working in education and is available UK wide on 08000 562 561.
Mind offers guidance on how to cope when supporting someone else, giving practical suggestions for what you can do and where you can go for support
Carers Trust is a major charity for, with and about carers working to improve support, services and recognition for carers https://carers.org/
The NHS provides a social care and support guide https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/
